DACA Coaching Staff

Coach Ben Vierra brings an enthusiasm to the water polo staff that makes him a coaching standout. He has seen success at the high school level working with both men's and women's programs. Under Ben's leadership, the Live Oak High School women's team captured the BVAL League Championship and went on to compete in the CCS Championship playoffs. Following his success at Live Oak, Ben took leadership of the men's program at Independence High School, where he steered the team to an 8 - 2 record, a BVAL League Championship, and CCS Playoff appearance. He is now working as the Head coach of the Monta Vista Men’s water polo program. Nationally, Ben has been involved with the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program; he is currently the coach for the Pacific Zone Development team.

A standout athlete himself, Ben helped Live Oak High School to the 1997 CCS Water Polo Championship title before taking his talents to West Valley College. While at West Valley, Ben was a critical element in two Northern California Water Polo Championships, and a 2nd place finish at the California's State Community College Championship. He then continues his career at California State University - Chico, completing his bachelor's degree in History and playing on the Chico State club team.

Ben has been working with the DACA Water Polo Program since its inception in 2009. His enthusiasm,
dedication, and experience have made him an asset to the DACA staff and one of the best coaches in the
area.

Jerome Chung - 12 & Under Boys Head Coach

Coach Jerome has been teaching and coaching at Lynbrook High School since Fall 2000. He has coached JV and Varsity levels for both Boys and Girls. Jerome has won multiple league championships and coached several athletes who have gone on to play at the collegiate level.
Coach Jerome has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and works at Lynbrook High School in the Special Education department working with kids with learning disabilities. Recently, as the Head coach of the 12 Under Boys program in 2015, Jerome steered the boys to a Silver Medal in the Junior Olympics! Jerome’s coaching style and expertise is a valuable addition to the DACA water Polo family.

Doug Leresche - 16 & Under Boys Head Coach

Coach Doug came to California from his hometown of Zimbabwe. There he attended Prince Edward High School where he won State and National Championships from 2001-2004. When he got to the states he attended West Valley College where he earned an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. Doug played for Coach Bruce Watson and was named captain of the 2008 team that went on to become State Champions! After West Valley, Coach Doug received a scholarship to Cuny Queens College where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Politics and was Captain of his 2010 Water Polo team.
As a coach, Doug has been involved with the game for over 13 years. From 2002-2004 he coached at Prince Edward High School in Harare, Zimbabwe. In 2005 he coached at the Kings School in Sydney Australia. From 2007-2010 he coached for West Valley Water Polo in Saratoga California. From 2010 to the present he has been coaching Men’s water polo at Willow Glen high school where he has built an outstanding program and reputation, finishing in the CCS quarter finals in 2010 and 2014.

Gigi Swan - High School Girls Head Coach

Buchser High School in Santa Clara did not have a girl’s water polo team but that did not stop Gigi and some friends from playing the sport. Gigi started the first water polo team at her high school. The sport was just starting for women at the high school and collegiate level so her high school team was able to enter open tournaments and play colleges like Stanford and Cal. Gigi attended UCIrvine but was not able to drum up enough interest and players to start a team. There was a long hiatus away from the game until her daughter started playing water polo as a freshman at Fremont High School. Gigi was enlisted to coach the JV team and moved to Varsity for the next three years. Gigi also was the Assistant Girl’s Coach at Menlo School for one year. She began coaching at Monta Vista High School this year. Gigi teaches Physical Education at Columbia Middle School in Sunnyvale. She has also coached softball, soccer, volleyball, and water polo at the Master’s level. When she is not coaching, Gigi can usually be found in the water playing with her women’s team, the Oakland Grayhairs. The team has won the National Master’s title for their age group the last eight years. Gigi is a current Women’s Masters All-American player.

Jacob Young - 18 & Under Boys Head Coach

Jacob Young has played 15 years of water polo. Starting at Valley Christian High School. He then graduated to West Valley Community College and played for Bruce Watson. After two years at WV he transferred to Pepperdine University with coaches Jack Kocur, Gary O'Bryan and Olympic coach Terry Schroeder. After University he played in the Australian National League for the Brisbane Barracudas, the Spanish National League for Echeyde Water Polo on the Canary islands, the New Zealand National League in Wellington NZ for the Windy City Renegades and in the Brazilian National League for Capa Amazonese De Polo Aquático in Manaus. He currently plays in the USA National league for Alumni Water Polo.

Jacob has coached age groups in Australia, Spain, Brazil, and recently for the Silicon Valley Outlaws in San Jose. He has taken assistant coaching jobs at Cal Lutheran University in 2010, Willow Glen Water Polo South Africa Trip (Ubuntu Trip) 2013, and at West Valley Community College in 2014. He is currently going back to school to complete his Masters in Physical Education, Sports Management with and emphasis in Coaching and is now head coach for Saratoga Boy’s Water Polo.